Government of Mexico through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) expressed concern for the recent approval of anti-immigrant Senate Bill 2340 in Iowa, USA, which will go into effect on July 1.

The legislation will classify as felony undocumented crime or remain in the state after being denied immigration assistance.

“The law is aimed at criminalizing migrants, as it will allow local and state law enforcement officials to arrest immigrants for being undocumented, and will also allow state judges to order deportations,” the Foreign Ministry explained in a statement.

The diplomatic mission noted that through the Mexican Consulate in Omaha “prevention and awareness measures” were implemented so that Mexicans in the state know their rights,” and what tools of consular assistance and legal advice they can resort to.

Moreover, he said that They will double the number of meetings with union officials and civil rights groups. To strengthen their presence in the state, they will provide free legal advice through Program of External Legal Advice (PALE) lawyers and conduct free immigration diagnostic sessions with the support of local allies.

He also stated that in the same way The Mexican community can communicate 24 hours a day to the Center of Information and Assistance for the Mexican People (CIAM), where you will find official, safe and reliable information about this legislation, as well as the consular services and activities we provide to you.

SRE, through its consular office in Iowa, has assured that “We will be attentive and respond to any violation and, as has been done before similar initiatives, it will explore legal resources that will help protect the rights of Mexicans in the state.”

On March 27, the Mexican government, through SRE, noted that SB4, which allows Texas authorities to detain and deport migrants, was suspended until further notice by the US Court.

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The controversy over the law comes amid unprecedented migration flows in recent years in the region, where Mexico has reported growth of illegal migration by almost 77% in 2023, More than 782,000 undocumented foreigners have been identified.

Moreover, last September the International Organization for Migration (IOM) declared the border between Mexico and the United States “the most dangerous land migration route in the world” in 2022, more than 686 migrants died or went missing.

(according to information from EFE)